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Mine Health and Safety Act, 1996 (Act No. 29 of 1996)

Regulations

Guideline for a Mandatory Code of Practice

Cyanide Management

Part C: Format and Content of the Mandatory COP

7. Risk management

 

7.1 Section 11 of the MHSA requires the employer to identify hazards, assess the health and safety risks to which employees may be exposed while they are at work, and record the significant hazards identified and risk assessed. The employer must determine how the significant risks identified in the risk assessment process must be dealt with, having regard to the requirement of section 11(2) and (3) that, as far as reasonably practicable, attempts should first be made to eliminate the risk, thereafter to control the risk at source, thereafter to minimise the risk and thereafter, insofar as the risk remains, to provide personal protective equipment and to institute a programme to monitor the risk.

 

7.2 To assist the employer with the risk assessment all possible relevant information such as accident statistics, ergonomic studies, research reports, manufacturers' specifications, approvals, design criteria and performance figures for all relevant equipment should be obtained and considered.

 

7.3 In addition to the periodic review required by section 11(4) of the MHSA, the COP should be reviewed and updated if relevant after every serious incident relating to a topic covered in the COP or if significant changes are introduced to procedures, processes, process layout, process methods, ventilation layouts, plant or equipment and material.

 

NOTE:

It is recommended that the Risk Assessment Chapter contained within section 2, Chapter 2 of the South African Guideline on Cyanide Management for Gold Mines referred to in paragraph 1.3 of Part A, be consulted when undertaking the hazard identification and risk assessment process.